Typewriting machine



Nov. 1, 1927.

' H. E. BRIDGWATER TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WITNESSES d MM ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1, 1927..

UNITED star-as manta earner "@Fhltth ,EER-BERT E. BRIDGWATER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW? YORK ASSIGNOR TO REMINGTON TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF ILION', NEW YGRK, A CORPURATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPEWBITING ivrncnrnn.

Application filed AugustZl, 1924. Serial No. 733,295.

devices, and arrangementsofparts herein- 1 after described and particularly pointed out in the claims. 1

My invention is shown herein as applied to a No. 60 Smith Premier typewriting ma chine. In the prior construction, which the present construction supersedes, the key lever fulcrum plate was adjustable by means of a thumb nut at the rear ofthe machine, enabling the typist to vary the touch asdesired. However, such adjustments by the typist had the disadvantage of aifecting 7 other adjustments in a manner not desired,

as for example altering the ribbonvibrating mechanism so as to interferewith the proper vibratory movement of the ribbon. The present constructionis designed to correct this defect by providing for an adjustment of the fulcrum platewhich can only conveniently be effected by a repairman or qualified adjuster and then only fromthe under side of the machine. v Moreover, in the prior construction of spring mechanism for the key levers, the springs were formed with bends at which breakage was liable to occur. r Accordingly, the springs have been redesignedto obviate this defect; and the mounting of the springs has also been altered to improve their action. My invention will be describedin detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is'a plan view of the base portion of a No. Smith Premier typewriting machine embodying my invention, fparts'unnecessary to a complete understanding thereof being omitted.

Figure 2 is a fragmentaryhorizontal sectional view on a larger scale, the section being taken just below the top or roof of the rear portion of the base.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on a plane indicated by the section line 1+1 'n Fig. 2 and lookingin the direction of the arrow at, said line.

The rectangular base frame 1 of the No. 60 Smith Premier typewriting machine, as shown in the drawing, comprises an open or skeleton front portion 2 and a covered rear portion, the cover, roof or top 3 whereof is formed with a cut-out or opening indicated at 4. Aset of key levers 5 is arranged within the base, the key levers being horizontally disposed and provided at their forward ends with caps or keys 6, composing a keyboard with thebase portion 2. Each key lever 5 is operatively connected with a type bar, not

shown, by a train of operating devices com-i,

prising a sub-lever 7 pivotally connectedat 8 with the key lever and formed at its lower vendwith a slot indicated at 9, which co-operates with a fixed rod or abutment 10. The rear upper-edge portion of each key lever 5 is slightly curved as indicated at 11, this curved or contact portion being adapted to cooperate variably during the key stroke with a contact member of fulcrum plate 12. The fulcrum plate 12 is rectangular in shape and is adapted to be adjustably secured. to the rear portion of the base frame in a novel manner. To this end the plate 12 is provided near its rear corners and somewhat back of its front corners with tapped openings which receive adjust-able abutments in the form of hollow threaded members or screws 13. These screws are exteriorly threaded at 1 1 in order to engage tapped openings in the plate 12 and are formed with a smooth surfaced hollow interior indicated at 15, the bottom edgeof each screw 13 being provided with a nick indicated at 16 to receive a screw driver or other adjusting tool.

, Passing freely upward through the openings formed with projections or bosses 3"* so as to provide sufficient stock to receive the screws 17; The'construction is such that when the screws 17 are screwed in tight, they will force the top faces of the screws 13 tightly into'engagement with the under faces of the bosses 3 thus clamping the screws 13 and throughthem the fulcrum plate 12 against movement. It will further be understood that by adjusting the screws 13 before the clamping screws 18 are introduced the height of the plate 12 when secured in place may be regulated so as to cause the contact edges 11 of the key levers 5 properly to co-operate with the under face of said plate, to give the desired rolling or creeping contact during operations. It will be observed that the construction is such that the means for adjusting the plate 12, comprising the sets of screws 13 and 17, are only accessible from the under side of the machine, it being necessary to tip the machine or turn it on its side or back in order to get at the screws. Idforeover, to remove or adjust the screws it is necessary to employ a tool. The construction and arrangement therefore are such that unskilled persons will not be prone to attempt variation of the fulcrum plate adjustment as heretofore.

Each key lever 5 is formed towards the front end of its contact edge 11 with a downwardly extending slot indicated at 19 which engages and cooperates with a fulcrum rod 20 that extends longitudinally of the fulcrum plate and is secured to the under side thereof by novel means, said means comprising a plurality of brackets or folded strips 21 that are bent back on themselves to provide parallel plies 22, the forward or closed end portions of each bracket being shaped to receive the fulcrum rod 20. There are three brackets 21, one arranged near each end of the fulcrum plate, and the third about centrally thereof. The plies 22, which are spaced apart or separated, are formed with elongated holes or slots 23 which receive headed clamping screws 24 that are threaded upward into the fulcrum plate 12. These screws co-operate with the brackets 21 to perform two functions; namely, they secure or attach the fulcrum rod 20 to the fulcrum plate 12 and they also clamp the fulcrum rod in the brackets. When the screws are loosened, the rod 20 may be adjusted endwise or withdrawn from the brackets. while when they are tightened the plies 22 are forced towards each other, clamping or binding the rod in the brackets and also of course supporting said rod from the fulcrum plate. Y

Beneath the fulcrum plate 12 is arranged a guide or comb plate 25 having end portions 26 that receive screws 27 whereby the comb plate is secured to the fulcrum plate 12. The comb plate is provided with an upwardly extending set of tines or reeds 28 spaced apart to receive between them and guide in an up and down direction the rear portions of the key levers 5.

Spring means are provided for returning or restoring the key levers after operation and for maintaining said key levers in normal position against a rest or stop 29 and against the fulcrum plate. Said spring means comprise U-shaped or hair-pin springs 30 made of wire and having parallel branches 31 connected by a cross portion 32. One branch is slightly longer than the other and each is formed near its free end with a depression or seat 33. The springs 30 are mounted on and supported by a supporting member or bar 34 arranged above and at the forward side of the fulcrum plate 12 which supports said bar. Said bar comprises an inclined or curved body portion 35 and end portions or tabs 36 which are horizontally disposed and receive screws 37 which are threaded into the fulcrum plate and secure the bar 3 1 thereto. Said screws are accessible through the opening f in the top Extending rearward from the body portion 35 are a series of angular hook-like projections or fingers 35 Under each of these hook-like fingers is engaged one of the springs 30. said springs resting on the top of the body portion 35 and projecting forward and upward in an inclined direction. It will be understood that the springs are normally straight and that the inclination is due to the inclination of the bar on which they rest. The springs are put under tension by being bent downward to connect with links 38, said links being vertically disposed and at their lower ends hooking through holes indicated at 40 in the key levers 5, the upper ends of said links hooking over the springs 30 and engaging in the seats or depressions 33 therein. It will be understood that each hair-pin spring 30 cooperates with a pair of key levers 5 and that by reason of the difference in length of the spring arms 81, the links 38 are staggered so as to avoid interference with each other.

A cover plate 41 made preferably of sheet metal and bent at its sides and along its rear edge to provide angularly disposed portions is arranged above the rear or root portions of the spring and the bar 34. Said cover plate is supported on the underlying bar 3% and is secured thereto by screws 42 passing downward through the end portions of the. cover plate and threaded into the bar. The screws 42 are accessible through the opening 4: in part 3 of the base. The spring restoring means for the key levers, comprising the hair-pin springs 30, are constructed and mounted to provide a maximum of service with but slight liability to breakage or dis arrangement.

It will be observed that by the present invention there is provided in combination with the key levers of the machine a fulcrum plate therefor, adju table abutments on said plate, and means operating both to lock said abutments in place in the fulcrum plate and also to secure said plate in place on the frame of the machine; that in the present instance said means comprise screws for fixing the plate in relation to the main frame, said screws also maintaining the abutments in place; that said abutments in the present instance are also in the form of screws which are bored out or hollow, so as to receive within their bores the other or clamping screws, the hollow screws and the clamping screws working in pairs and being accessible for removal or adjustment only from the un der side of the machine; that the key levers are adapted to have a creeping contact or variable engagement with the fulcrum plates when operated; that by means of the adjustable abutments or hollow screws and the associate clamping screws the location of the fulcrum plate may be so fixed as to obtain the best or moist suitable action of the key levers on it; that supported by the fulcrum plate is a fulcrum rod for the key levers in association with means for securing said rod to said plate, the securing means also clamping the rod itself; and that said securing means comprise a plurality of bent strips within which the rod is received, and screws for adjustably securing said strips to the fulcrum plate, saidscrews when tightened causing said strips to clamp the fulcrum rod.

Various changes may be made without departing from my invention.

'What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a base having a covered rear portion, key levers arranged in said base, a key lever fulcrum plate arranged within said covered portion, and means for variably securing said fulcrum plate in place so as to vary the action of the key levers thereon, said meanscomprising a plurality of hollow screws with nicks in their bottom faces for convenientl adjusting screws in said plate, the top faces ofsaid screws contact ing with the under side of said covered portion, and clamping screws passing through said hollow screws and threaded into said covered portion, all of said screws being ac cessible only from the under side of the base.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a plate mounted on the machine frame, a fulcrum rod, means for securing said rod to said plate, said means affording adjustment of said rod both longitudinally and in a direction at right angles thereto, and levers bearing on said rod.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combine. tion of a plate mounted on the machine, a fulcrum rod, a plurality of bent strips within which said rod is received, and screws for adjustably securing said strips to said plate,

tion of a horizontally disposed key lever, an inclined spring support, a spring supported thereon and detachably secured thereto, said spring being inclined at a constant angle to the horizontal, and a link for connecting the free end of said spring with said key lever.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a pair of horizontally disposed key levers, an inclined spring support provided with angular hook-like lingers, a U-shaped wire spring engaging under one of said fingers and resting on said support at a constant angle to the horizontal, the branches of said spring being straight throughout except for bends near their free ends, and links en gaging with said bends and connecting the spring branches with said key levers.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination of key leversnormally horizontally disposed, an inclined spring support provided with a set of angular hook-like fingers, U- shaped wire springs engaging with said fingers and resting on said inclined support at constant angles to the horizontal, the

branches of said springs being straight and said key levers, said links being efiective to bend said springstowards the key levers and put tension into them under normal conditions.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a pair of horizontally disposed key levers, an inclined spring support provided .wIth angular hook-like lingers, a U-shaped wire spring engaging under one of said fin gers and resting on said supp rt at an angle to the horizontal, the branches of said spring 8. In a typewriting machine, the combination of key levers, a horizontal fulcrum plate therefor, hollow screws in said fulcrum plate, headed clamping screws passing through said hollow screws and securing said fulcrum plate in the base of the machine, a

bar provided with a series of angular hooks, said bar beingdetachably secured to said fulcrum plate, straight key lever springs en gaging said hooks and supported by said bar at a normal angle to the horizontal, and connections between said springs and said key levers.

Signed at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga andState of New York this 18 day of August, A. D. 1924.

HERBERT E. BRIDGWATER. 

